Method for producing a blinker module, blinker module, rear-view device, and motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

A method for manufacturing a blinker module for a rearview device of a motor vehicle includes the steps of providing at least one lighting element comprising at least one light guide and at least one light disk or lens and providing of at least one illuminant unit comprising at least one illuminant, wherein the illuminant unit is designed to couple light emitted by the illuminant into the lighting element. A blinker module, rearview device and motor vehicle, including the blinker module manufactured according to the method, are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of International PatentApplication No. PCT/EP2019/066269, filed Jun. 19, 2019, which claims thebenefit of priority to German Patent Application No. DE102018115693.6,filed Jun. 28, 2018, each of which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure refers to a method for manufacturing a blinkermodule. The disclosure also relates to a blinker module which can bemanufactured or produced by such a method, a rearview device with such ablinker module and a motor vehicle with such a rearview device.

2. Related Art

Blinker modules are known from the state of the art in many ways. Theseare integrated within a housing of the rearview device. More and moreoften, blinker signals are used which have two spatially separated lightregions. The first light region serves primarily as a design feature,which gives the rearview device and the vehicle comprising this rearviewdevice a high-quality appearance. The second light region is intended tomeet legal requirements regarding the illumination in compliance withregulations. These two spatially separated lighting regions are realizedin different ways. In a first variant, two separate illuminant units areused, each of which fulfills the aforementioned tasks. In a secondvariant only one single illuminant unit is used. The housing forms anopaque section, i.e. a cover, between the recesses provided for the twolighting regions, so that the single illuminant unit behind this sectionor cover appears to be divided into two parts.

For example, from DE 10 2004 046 322 B4, an exterior rearview mirror formotor vehicles with a mirror housing in which a mirror glass isadjustably arranged and a blinker light is accommodated, the blinkerlight having at least one illuminant and a transparent cover elementcovering the illuminant and inserted into an opening in the mirrorhousing, wherein the mirror housing has a web interrupting the openingand the cover element is provided with a recess in the region of the weband passes under the web, the entire cover element being flush with theouter surface of the mirror housing and having an angle of 5° to 6° inthe region opposite to the direction of travel.

Even though the well-known blinker modules have proven themselves in thepast, there is still the desire to be able to design the lightingregions and in particular the trim more freely and morecost-effectively, especially with regard to shape and color. Inparticular, it is desired that different designs of the opaque sectionare possible for different series, for example to provide manufactureremblems or to meet other design requirements. In addition, the assemblyof the blinker modules should also be further simplified in order to beable to comply with the ever shorter cycle times during assembly.

From DE 10 2008 044 357 A1, a vehicle lamp with at least one transparentelement, with at least one main illuminant, the emitted light of whichpasses substantially perpendicularly through the optical interfaces ofthe at least one transparent element, is known, characterized in thatthe at least one transparent element has at least two optical regionswith different optical refractive indices adjacent to each other at theat least one optical interface, and at least in one of the adjacentoptical regions whose refractive index is higher than the refractiveindex of the adjacent optical region, the light of at least oneilluminant is coupled in via at least one light coupling point in adirection substantially along the at least one optical interface, andthe introduced light is coupled out via at least one light couplingpoint.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,943 B1 concerns a vehicle lamp assembly comprising ahousing and an LED lamp contained within the housing. A signal mirrorincludes a mirror; and an LED lamp. The LED lamp contains a heatextraction element.

DE 10 2004 048 669 relates to external positioned side mirror unitsjoined to the front struts of the vehicle which are assembled of atransparent or translucent housing with an extension leading to the bodyand the mirror element integrated in an opening pointing to the rear ofthe vehicle. A row of diodes positioned at the inner surface of thehousing and supplied with power by cables guided through the extensionilluminates the mirror through a gap in the border and indicates thepresence of the mirror to a pedestrian or a driver located behind thevehicle.

DE 10 2012 211 822 further relates to a housing element for a lamp unitfor a motor vehicle, comprising a housing shell made of thermoplasticmaterial, which housing shell defines an interior space foraccommodating a number of light sources of the signal lamp unit and anumber of light conducting means associated therewith, wherein thehousing shell can be produced by an injection molding method in which alight-permeable window section is formed, is to be developed in such awayin such a way that an aesthetically pleasing and cost-effectivehousing unit can be achieved in the overall impression. This is achievedin that the number of light guide means is obtained in one piece withthe housing shell during the injection moulding process. The inventionfurther relates to a method for producing a housing element, whichcomprises a simple, cost-effective and continuous production method withan unrestricted advantageous aesthetic effect of the visible surface ofthe housing unit.

From DE 10 2016 207 964 an exterior mirror for a motor vehicle is known,which comprises at least one light guide into which the light of atleast one light source can be coupled and can be decoupled again inorder to realize at least one light function via at least one light exitsurface, wherein the light exits the exterior mirror through at leastone opening of an exterior mirror housing. According to the invention,the light guide is completely or at least almost completely covered withat least one coating. In this way, a separate housing for the lightguide can be saved, wherein the light guide is nevertheless wellprotected.

US 2011/0235353 teaches a vehicle lamp which is formed using a lightguide body. Thus light can be emitted without increasing the number ofcomponents. The structure has a light guide part formed on a light guidemember. The light guide part emits light in an elongated shape byirradiating a first light-emitting diode provided on one end of thelight guide part in the longitudinal direction. A projecting partprojects reward on the rear face of the light guide part, which is thelight-emitting face. A light emission suppressing part is provided onthe projection end face of the projecting part and has a metal filmformed by vapor deposition.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, blinker module is provided which is simple and inexpensiveto manufacture and easy to handle in assembly and also offers greatfreedom in the design of the individual elements.

In an aspect, a method for manufacturing a blinker module for a rearviewdevice of a motor vehicle includes the steps: providing at least onelighting element comprising at least one light guide and at least onelight disk or lens; and providing of at least one illuminant unitcomprising at least one illuminant, wherein the illuminant unit isdesigned to couple light emitted by the illuminant into the lightingelement. There is a further step of at least one of arranging at leastone first coating element on the lighting element, wherein the firstcoating element is designed as a reflector layer and is arranged on atleast one first surface region of the light disk; and arranging at leastone second coating element on the first coating element, the secondcoating element being designed as a first cover and/or opaque designelement and being arranged on at least one second surface region of thefirst coating element, the first surface region and the second surfaceregion having edges which are at least partially flush with one anotherat least in some regions, wherein at least one of the shape of the firstdesign element, the color of the first design element and a pattern onthe first design element is suited to be adapted to a rearview devicecasing to provide the impression of a two-part blinker module. Asalternative or in addition to the further step, there is a step ofarranging at least one insert between the at least one light guide andthe at least one light disk or lens, the at least one insert beingdesigned as a second cover and/or opaque design element, wherein atleast one of the shape of the second design element, color of the seconddesign element and a pattern on the second design element is suited toprovide at least one of a logo, an emblem, a flag, a symbol and aninformation, wherein the screen insert is attached to a blinker modulehousing.

Thus, a first method for manufacturing a blinker module for a rearviewdevice of a motor vehicle comprises the following steps: providing atleast one lighting element comprising at least one light guide and atleast one light disk; providing at least one illuminant unit comprisingat least one illuminant, wherein the illuminant unit is designed tocouple light emitted by the illuminant into the lighting element;arranging at least one first coating element on the lighting element,wherein the first coating element is designed as a reflector layer andis arranged on at least one first surface region of the light disk; andarranging at least one second coating element on the first coatingelement, the second coating element being designed as a cover and/oropaque element and being arranged on at least one second surface regionof the first coating element, the first surface region and the secondsurface region having edges which are at least partially flush with oneanother at least in some regions.

Because the first coating element is formed as a reflector layer, ahomogeneous illumination of the lighting element is realized and/or theloss of light intensity of light propagating in the lighting element isavoided, at least reduced, preferably to avoid and/or reduce

-   -   (i) the emission of light from the lighting element at the        location of the first coating element within the first surface        region, and/or    -   (ii) the absorption of light from the lighting element on the        second coating element.

The fact that the second coating element is designed as a cover andpossibly also as an opaque element means that it can interact in asuitable manner with at least one housing of the rearview device, inparticular in order to achieve a flush closure between cover and/oropaque element on the one hand and housing on the other hand, at leastin some regions.

A second method for manufacturing a blinker module for a rearview deviceof a motor vehicle differs from the first one by substituting the designelement provided by the first and second coating elements by makingusage of an insert arranged between a light guide and the lens. Theinsert offers an easy way to provide the blinker module with a designfeature pointing to the car manufacturer, like an emblem, logo or flag.Many other possible imprints on such an insert are possible and theconcept of interposing said insert within the blinker module offers alarge variety of design alternatives.

Of course it is also possible according to the disclosure to combine thefirst and second method such that there is not only the designpossibility offered by the first and second coating elements but alsothose offered by the insert. This is in particular useful when arrangingthe light pipe along a larger part of the circumference of the scalp ofthe rear view device.

It is particularly proposed that the providing of the lighting elementincludes the step: forming the light guide and the light disk by meansof injection molding, especially in a single step and/or as a singleelement.

It may also be provided that the placement of the first coating elementon the lighting element includes the step and/or steps: forming thefirst coating element on the lighting element by means of casting and/ormolding and/or applying the first coating element on the lightingelement by means of spraying, steaming, gluing, painting and/orinjecting.

It is also advantageously possible for the first coating element to bearranged at least partially directly on the first surface region and/orfor at least one intermediate element, in particular at least onefurther coating element, to be arranged at least partially between thefirst coating element and the lighting element, and/or the first coatingelement completely surrounds at least a region of the light guide.

It is also proposed that the arranging of the second coating element onthe first coating element includes the step and/or steps: forming thesecond coating element on the first coating element by casting and/ormolding and/or applying the second coating element on the first coatingelement by spraying, steaming, gluing, painting and/or injecting.

It is also proposed with the disclosure that the second coating elementcomprises and/or consists of at least one exposed element at least inregions, wherein the exposed element preferably has a rectangular,triangular, square, polygonal, star-shaped, circular, oval, ellipsoidal,parabolic, cylindrical and/or semicircular cross-section in at least onecross-sectional plane perpendicular to at least one direction ofextension, in particular main direction of extension, of the exposedelement.

It may also be proposed that the first coating element and the secondcoating element have different colors.

It may also be provided that at least one end section and/or middlesection of the lighting element, in particular of the light guide and/orthe light disk, has or have at least one tapered section.

With the latter design, it is advantageous that the first surface regionand the second surface region extend at least partially along thetapered section.

With the latter two designs, it is also advantageous that the firstcoating element and/or the second coating element completely enclose thetapered section at least in some regions.

It is also proposed that the elements from the group comprising thelighting element, light guide, light disk, first coating element andsecond coating element are formed integrally with each other.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous that the step of providing at leastone illuminant unit comprises providing the at least one illuminant inthe form of at least one LED, at least one optical system, preferably atleast one lens and/or at least one reflector, at least one electricalconnection means for connecting the illuminant unit to an electricalcurrent and/or voltage network, preferably to at least one on-boardnetwork, and/or at least one circuit board, preferably the illuminantunit being designed to couple light emitted by the illuminant into thelighting element, in particular the light guide.

It may also be proposed that the providing of the lighting element, thearranging of the first coating element and/or the arranging of thesecond coating element is carried out by means of one-componentinjection molding and/or multi-component injection molding, inparticular two-component injection molding and/or three-componentinjection molding.

The method may be characterized by providing a housing to which at leastone of the illuminant unit and the lighting element is attached.

At least the at least one circuit board of the illuminant unit may beattached to the housing.

The second coating element may be arranged on the first coating elementfacing away from the housing.

The at least one insert may be attached to the housing.

The at least one insert may be arranged to at least one of overlappingat least partly, an end portion of or a middle portion of the lightguide, extending along the contour of at least one edge or side of thelight guide along the light propagation direction starting from theilluminant unit, being slotted along the contour of at least one edge orside of the light guide along the light propagation direction startingfrom the illuminant unit, and covering or screening at least the atleast one illuminant.

Further, the at least one insert may be attached to the housing at leastalong the contour of at least one edge or side of the light guide alongthe light propagation direction from the illuminant unit at least alongone side of the light guide.

The at least one insert may be attached to the housing below the lowerside of the light guide and extends along the upper side of the lightguide.

The at least one insert may be attached to the housing by means of atleast one of welding, spraying, steaming, gluing, painting and/orinjecting.

The least one of the light guide and the insert at least along a part ofthe extension along the light propagation direction starting from theilluminant unit taper in the direction of the illuminant unit.

The object is solved according to a second aspect by a blinker modulemanufactured and/or manufacturable with a method according to the firstaspect, wherein the light guide fulfils the blinker function and thefirst and/or second design elements, light disk and/or lens is designedto meet design requirements.

The object is solved in accordance with a third aspect by a rearviewdevice for a motor vehicle comprising an upper casing, a lower casingand at least one blinker module in accordance with the second aspect,wherein the at least one blinker module is attached between the upperand the lower casing or to the upper casing.

At least one of the second coating element and the outer lens maycooperate in a fitting manner with at least one of the upper casing, thelower casing and a bezel of the rearview device.

There may be a flush closure between at least one of the second coatingelement and the lens on the one hand and at least one of the uppercasing, the lower casing and the bezel on the other hand, at least inregions.

The object is solved according to a fourth aspect by a motor vehiclecomprising at least one rearview device according to the third aspect.

The disclosure is thus based on the surprising realization that ablinker module can be manufactured particularly easily and cheaply, inthe first method, if a first coating element is directly applied to thelighting element and a second coating element is applied to this inturn. Thus the inventors recognized that the second coating element canbe designed as a cover and can be provided directly with the module inan advantageous way. This means that the cover no longer has to beprovided on the casing or housing of the rearview device. This in turnmeans that one and the same basic shape of the housing can be used for avariety of different designs of blinker modules, since the variableelement in the shape of the cover is not part of the housing but of theblinker module. Thus, on the one hand, the housing can be produced inhigh volume and thus more cost-effectively. On the other hand, thesecond coating element can also be produced at a lower cost, since itsmanufacture represents a separate method step in the production of theblinker module and can therefore, if necessary, be carried outindependently of the other steps in terms of time and space. This meansthat even smaller series can be produced comparatively inexpensivelyaccording to individual specifications. In each case, the shape andcolor of the second coating element in particular can be adapted to therespective requirements. This is particularly easy and cost-effective ifthe second coating element is formed by injection molding, as this isvery versatile.

The inventors also recognized the effective interaction of first andsecond coating elements. By taking over their own functions, the twocoating elements could each be designed specifically for their task. Thefirst coating element prevents radiation, i.e. light, from escaping fromthe lighting element in an region where it would not be visible from theoutside anyway. Alternatively or in addition, the first coating elementalso prevents radiation or light from the lighting element from beingabsorbed by the second coating element. In both cases the light would belost to the lighting element. Thus, the first coating element providessufficient light intensity in all regions of the lighting element andadditionally for an at least largely homogeneous illumination of thelighting element. In addition, this also results in a division of theblinker module into two effective light regions. The second coatingelement provides for a more extensive, individual design of the blinkermodule and an optimal interaction with the housing of the rearviewdevice as well as for further optimization of the impression of atwo-part blinker module.

Surprisingly, the fact that the second coating element forms part of thecover also made it easier to install the blinker module. It is no longernecessary to correctly position several individual illuminant unitswithin the housing of the rearview device, or to align a singleilluminant unit with the cover region previously formed by the housing.Rather, the blinker module can be placed as a whole, including thecover, from the rear against the inner surface of the housing. In otherwords, the blinker module is provided as a compact and completecomponent, making it easier to install.

The inventors also realized that additional design features are neededin a handy manner to allow for all kind of individualization of blinkermodules of rearview devices. By printing any kind of information logo,emblem, symbol or the like on an insert arranged between the light guideand the lens all possible esthetic features and information can betransferred.

Many other design features might be added to a rearview device of thepresent disclosure. One astonishing perception of the invention is, thatmore or less any kind of logo, emblem, flag or the like can be printedon an insert between the light guide and an outer lens.

All possible combinations of design features provided via the outercoating and/or the insert are possible and provide a multitude ofesthetic highlights of a rearview device in particular pointing to a carmanufacturer.

For the purpose of this disclosure, the expression “arranging element Xon element Y” means that the element X is arranged above the element Y.For this purpose, the element X can directly rest on element Y, but doesnot have to. Further elements can also be arranged at least partiallybetween element X and element Y, in particular sandwich-like. In orderto have element X on top of element Y, element Y must either restdirectly on element X or be in indirect contact with element X throughother elements. In other words, a glass is arranged on a table even ifthere is a coaster between the glass and the table. However, when theglass hovers over the coaster, it is no longer arranged on the table inthe sense of the terminology of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the disclosure result from thefollowing description, in which embodiments of the disclosure areexplained by means of schematic drawings and diagrams. They show with

FIG. 1 is a schematic partial exploded representation of a blinkermodule according to a first embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an inventive rearview devicewith the blinker module according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for producing the blinker module ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an exploded representation of a blinker module according to asecond embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 a is a front view on the blinker module of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 5 b is a cross-section taken along the line AA of FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the blinker module of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rearview device with the blinkermodule of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 8 a is a rear view on a part of a blinker module according to athird embodiment of the disclosure, with the housing being detached;

FIG. 8 b is an enlargement of a part of FIG. 8 a;

FIG. 9 a is an isometric view of a part of the blinker module of FIGS. 8a and 8 b installed in a rearview device, with a first insert;

FIG. 9 b is a view similar to FIG. 9 a , but with a second, slottedinsert; and

FIG. 9 c is a view similar to FIG. 9 a , but with an insert of reducedsize.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a blinker module 1 according to a first embodiment of thedisclosure, in a partial exploded representation.

The blinker module 1 comprises a lighting element 3, which has a lightguide with a light disk that is an integral part of it. The blinkermodule 1 further comprises a illuminant unit 5, which has at least oneilluminant 7, for example in the form of an LED, which is arranged on acircuit board 8. The light emitted by the illuminant unit 5 is coupledinto the light guide at a first end 9 of the lighting element 3 and thenpropagates in the light guide. By means of the light disk, a planarillumination impression along the light guide is achieved. The schematicview in FIG. 1 is shown from the direction of oncoming traffic. Thelighting element 3 has a flat front part (in FIG. 1 in the drawingplane). However, any other surface shapes are also possible.

In an end section 11 of the lighting element 3, which is opposite thefirst end 9, the lighting element 3 tapers in the course of a transitionregion 13 from a first, for example vertically wide, extension to asecond, for example vertically narrower, extension.

The transition region 13 is followed by a first surface region 15 of thelighting element 3. In FIG. 1 , this first surface region 15 isrepresented by a dashed rectangle. The first surface region 15completely surrounds the lighting element 3. In FIG. 1 , however, onlythe part of the first surface region 15 of the front part of thelighting element 3 is visible. A first coating element 17 is arranged onthe first surface region 15. The first coating element 17 is arrangeddirectly on the lighting element and is designed as a reflector layer.The latter has the purpose that light propagated within the lightingelement 3, especially within the light guide, from the first end 9towards the opposite end cannot escape from the lighting element 3 inthe region of the first surface region 15. Instead, in the region of thefirst surface region 15, the light is reflected back into the lightingelement through the reflector layer. This ensures that sufficient lightintensity is available for the part of the end section 11 located to theright of the first surface region in FIG. 1 . This divides the lightingelement 3 into a first light region (in FIG. 1 left of the first surfaceregion 15) and a second light region (in FIG. 1 right of the firstsurface region 15). The lower loss of light intensity in the lightingelement 3 caused by the first coating element 17 leads to a homogeneous,or at least more homogeneous, illumination of the lighting element 3.

On a second surface region 19 (which coincides with the first coatingelement 17 shown in FIG. 1 ) of the first coating element 17, a secondcoating element 21 is directly arranged. While the first coating element17 circumferentially surrounds the lighting element 3, the secondsurface region 19 only covers a part of the region of the first surfaceregion 15, namely the part on the front of the lighting element 3,because the second coating element 21 no longer needs to prevent lightfrom escaping from the lighting element 3 and/or the light from thelighting element 3 can be absorbed by the second coating element 21. Thefunction of preventing or at least reducing this is assumed by the firstcoating element 17 according to the disclosure. Rather, it serves toform a cover in order to be able to interact with a casing of a rearviewdevice in a suitable manner. For this purpose, the second coatingelement 21 is designed as an exposed element in the form of a cuboid inorder to achieve a flush finish. The expansion of the exposed element isperpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 1 and is not shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a rearview device 23 according to the disclosure in aschematic representation. The rearview device 23 is shown from thedirection of oncoming traffic, i.e. with the side facing away from thedriver.

The rearview device 23 includes a blinker module, in particular ablinker module 1 as described above in relation to FIG. 1 . Therefore,for better understanding, identical elements of the blinker module usedin FIG. 2 as those of blinker module 1 in FIG. 1 are also marked withidentical reference signs. The blinker module is mounted from inside thecasing 25 of the rearview device 23. The housing 25 comprises at leastone upper casing 27, also called scalp, and at least one lower casing29, also called saber. The second coating element 21 is flush with theupper and lower casings 27, 29 at the top and bottom. In addition,almost any configuration of the second coating element 21 can be made aslong as the blinker module 1 can only be arranged within the housing 25of the rearview device 23.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart 100 of an method according to the disclosure.

In one step 101, a lighting element, in particular a lighting element 3,is provided. This comprises a light guide and a light disk. Theproviding of the lighting element includes the step of forming thelighting element by injection molding. Both the light guide and thelight disk are formed in one piece.

In a step 103, a first coating element, in particular the first coatingelement 17, is arranged on the lighting element on a first surfaceregion, in particular the first surface region 15, of the lightingelement. The arranging of the first coating element includes the step offorming the first coating element on the lighting element by injectionmolding. In other words, the first coating element is injection-moldedonto the lighting element formed in step 101 in the first surface regionand thus formed on the one hand and arranged directly on the lightingelement on the other.

In a step 105, a second coating element, in particular the secondcoating element 21, is placed on the first surface element on a secondsurface region of the first surface element. The arranging of the secondcoating element includes the step of forming the second coating elementon the first surface region by injection molding. In other words, thesecond coating element is injection-molded onto the first surfaceelement formed in step 103 in the second surface region and thus formedon the one hand and arranged directly on the first surface element onthe other hand.

In the following, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 5 b, an alternativeblinker module 50 of the present invention is described.

Turning to FIG. 4 , the blinker module 50 comprises a housing 51 towhich a circuit board 58 of an illuminant unit 55 and an outer lens 60is to be attached, in particular in order to provide a sealed module.For that purpose a gasket may be arranged between the lens 60 and thehousing 51 or the lens 60 may be welded to the housing 51. Between thelens 60 and the housing 51, are a light guide 53 and an inserter orinner cover 65. The light guide 53, the insert 65 and the lens 60together provide a lightening element.

In FIGS. 5 a and 5 b the relative arrangement of the parts of theblinker module 50 can be seen. In particular, it can be seen in FIG. 5 bthat the insert 65 partly overlaps the light guide 53 and is attached tothe housing 51. In addition, the light guide 53 also engages the housing51.

The circuit board 58 may carry two LED as illuminants, which emit lightinto the light guide 53. The light guide 53 may be provided withvertical radiator bar optics. The lens 60 may be formed out of crystalclear PMMA with no optics. The housing 51 may be black, in particulargloss polish. The insert 65 can be provided as a gloss black screen intowhich an emblem, logo or like, as shown for example in FIGS. 6 and 7 ,is printed. Thus, the insert 65 may be black in the inside, facing thelight guide 53, in order to cover the light guide 53 such that noillumination will pass the insert 65 with its imprint. Accordingly, theimprint can only be seen at day light, but not at night, even when lightis emitted into the light guide 53.

The flag or any other pattern may be provided on the insert 65 by padprinting. Such a printing process is especially facilitated by the factthat the insert 65 is provided with a mail geometry on the side facingthe lens, allowing a mass production in cost saving manner.

FIG. 6 provides an isometric view of the assembled blinker module 50,which is bent in adaption to the contour of the scalp of a rearviewdevice 70 as can be better seen in FIG. 7 . The insert 65 is onlyarranged at one end of the light guide 53 and does not follow the samearound the scalp of the rearview device 70.

FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of the blinker module 50 within the scalp,that is between an upper casing 75 and a lower casing 77. The blinkermodule 50 extends along a part of the circumference of the scalp inorder to function as a blinker, that is as a side turn indicator, and asa design element by providing a design feature in form of the Italianflag which is printed on the insert 65.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b show a third embodiment of a blinker module, being analternative to the blinker module 50 and similar parts are provided withthe same reference number hyphenated.

Turning now to FIG. 8 a , it can be seen that two illuminants 57′ inform of LEDs are provided on a printed circuit board 58′ in order toemit light into the light guide 53′ provided with a texture 54′ in formof radiator bar optics to enhance homogeneity of the illumination alongthe path from the illuminants 57′ to the opposite end of the light guide53. The light being reflected within the light guide 53′ is furtherpropagating until said opposite end of the light guide 53′ in order tofulfill the blinker function.

At the end next to the illuminants 57′ an insert 65′ is arranged betweenthe light guide 53′ and the outer lens 60′. Said insert 65′ is carryingan imprint of the Italian flag on the side facing the outer lens 60′such that the blinker module 50′ fulfills a further design feature,namely displaying the Italian flag in case the illuminants 57 areswitched off.

The position of the insert 65′ and the flag thereon can be offset 1 mmto the outer lens 60′, in order to avoid a direct contact. This gap isimportant for the manufacturing proses, in particular when the lens 60′is welded to the housing.

With respect to FIGS. 9 a to 9 c different insert geometries aredescribed in the following:

FIG. 9 a shows the design discussed with respect to FIGS. 8 a and 8 busing a relative large insert 65′. Such an insert 65′ can be attached tothe housing (not shown in FIG. 9 a ) in the area around the light pipe53′.

In the alternative of FIG. 9 b , the insert 65″ is provided with a slot66″ along the upper contour or edge of the light guide 53″ at the endfacing the illuminants 57″ such that light passes through the slot 66″and the outer lens 60′ along the light guide 53″ as an additional designfeature, when the illuminants are switched on.

Thus, even in case it is dark outside, the flag on the insert 65″ can beseen when the light guide 53″ is illuminated.

The insert 65″ can be attached to the housing (not shown) above andbelow the light guide 53″.

Turning now to FIG. 9 c , the insert 65′ has a reduced size in order tojust reach the upper edge of the light guide 53″ for allowing more lightto pass the lens 60′″ above the flag on the insert 65′, while no lightpasses below the flag, as the insert 65′ is attached to the not shownhousing below the light guide 53″.

Thus, FIG. 9 a provides an insert 65′ as a full cover of the light guide53′ in the flag area to prevent flag illumination. The modified insert65″ of FIG. 9 b is provided with a tapering slot for additionalshielding of stray light just allowing a sharp illumination of thecontour of the light guide 53″, whereas FIG. 9 c shows an embodimentwith a floating flag suspended from a lower section only, such that theillumination along the upper edge of the light guide 53″ is moreprofound.

The different blinker modules described above provide a variety ofdesign features which can be combined in any possible manner in order toallow a car manufacturer to individualize its rearview devices.

The features disclosed in this description, the claims and the figuresmay be essential for the disclosure in its different embodiments bothindividually and in any combination with one another.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

-   1 blinker module-   3 lighting element-   5 illuminant unit-   7 illuminant-   8 circuit board-   9 end-   11 end section-   13 transition region-   15 first surface region-   17 first coating element-   19 second surface region-   21 second coating element-   23 rearview device-   25 housing-   27 casing-   29 casing-   50, 50′, 50″, 50′″ blinker module-   51 housing-   53, 53′, 53″, 53′″ lighting guide-   54′ texture-   55, 55′ illuminant unit-   57′, 57″, 57″″ illuminant-   58, 58′ circuit board-   60, 60′, 60″, 60′″ lens-   65, 65′, 65″, 65′″ insert or inner cover-   66″ slot-   70 rearview device-   75, 75′ casing-   77 casing-   100 flowchart-   101, 103, 105 method steps

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for manufacturing a blinker module for arearview device of a motor vehicle comprising the steps: providing atleast one lighting element comprising at least one light guide and atleast one light disk or lens; providing of at least one illuminant unitcomprising at least one illuminant, wherein the illuminant unit isdesigned to couple light emitted by the illuminant into the lightingelement; and arranging at least one insert between the at least onelight guide and the at least one light disk or lens, the at least oneinsert being designed as a cover or opaque design element, wherein atleast one of the shape of the cover or opaque design element, color ofthe cover or opaque design element and a pattern on the cover or opaquedesign element is suited to provide at least one of a logo, an emblem, aflag, a symbol and an information as an imprint on the at least oneinsert, wherein the at least one insert is attached to a blinker modulehousing, and wherein the at least one insert covers the at least onelight guide such that substantially no illumination will pass the atleast one insert with its imprint so that the imprint can only be seenin daylight.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing thelighting element comprises the step of forming the light guide and thelight disk or lens by at least one of injection molding, in a singlestep, and as a single element.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein at least one end section or middle section of the lightingelement has at least one tapered section.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the step of providing at least one illuminant unitcomprises providing at least one illuminant in the form of at least oneLED, providing at least one electrical connection means for connectingthe illuminant unit to an electrical current or voltage network, andproviding at least one circuit board, wherein the illuminant unit isdesigned to couple light emitted by the illuminant into the lightingelement or the light guide.
 5. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising providing a housing to which at least one of the illuminantunit and the lighting element is attached.
 6. The method according toclaim 5, wherein at least the at least one circuit board of theilluminant unit is attached to the housing.
 7. The method according toclaim 5, wherein the at least one insert is attached to the housing. 8.The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one insert isarranged to at least one of: overlapping at least partly, an end portionof or a middle portion of the light guide, extending along the contourof at least one edge or side of the light guide along the lightpropagation direction starting from the illuminant unit, being slottedalong the contour of at least one edge or side of the light guide alongthe light propagation direction starting from the illuminant unit, andcovering or screening at least the at least one illuminant.
 9. Themethod according to claim 8, wherein the at least one insert is attachedto the housing at least along the contour of at least one edge or sideof the light guide along the light propagation direction from theilluminant unit at least along one side of the light guide.
 10. Themethod according to claim 9, wherein the at least one insert is attachedto the housing below the lower edge or side of the light guide andextends along the upper side of the light guide.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one insert is attached to thehousing by means of at least one of welding, spraying, steaming, gluing,painting and/or injecting.
 12. The method according to claim 1, whereinat least one of the light guide and the insert at least along a part ofthe extension along the light propagation direction starting from theilluminant unit taper in the direction of the illuminant unit.
 13. Ablinker module manufactured by a method according to claim 1, whereinthe light guide fulfils the blinker function and at least one of thecover or opaque design element, the light disk and the lens is designedto meet design requirements.
 14. A rearview device for a motor vehiclecomprising: an upper casing; a lower casing; and at least one blinkermodule according to claim 12, wherein the blinker module is attachedbetween the upper and the lower casings or to the upper casing.
 15. Therearview device of claim 14, wherein a flush closure between the coveror lens on the one hand and at least one of the upper casing, the lowercasing and a bezel of the review device, on the other hand, at least inregions.
 16. A motor vehicle, comprising at least one rearview deviceaccording to claim 14.